So as this season continues to keep us interested, which im guessing many had already checked out and started thinking about next season, we find ourselves 3 points off play offs with only 4 games left to play!
I had a little look into my LCFC bible and found that in the 1995/96 season we hadn't had any real great form all season O'neill had come in at christmas and had his critics, very much like our current man Pearson. That season most fans would have thought maybe it was too much to ask for the playoffs and lets look forward to the following season. Sounding familar?
Not only did we go and win our last four games of the season but we went on to win the playoffs and kick started probably the best period in our history.
April 17th Oldham Athletic Won 2-0 Claridge 2
April 20th Huddersfield Town Won 2-1 Walsh, Claridge/ Bullock
April 27th Birmingham City Won 3-0 Claridge, Heskey, Lennon
May 5th Watford Won 1-0 Izzet
Playoff Semi
May 12th Stoke City Draw 0-0
May 15th Stoke City Won 1-0 Parker
Playoff Final
May 27th Crystal Palace Won 2-1 aet Parker(P), Claridge/ Roberts
And the rest is History!
Heres to hoping we can repeat that success this time around when most had thought our chance had gone!
Whos going to be our 2012 Claridge!
2011/12 the New 1995/96
posted on 11/4/12
Marshall
posted on 11/4/12
In it goes towards Parker (boom), Parker has scored!
A great commentary soundbite right up tree with "in it goes towards thompson, and Thompson has equalised, it's unbelievable stuff now".
I must have watched the latter over 100 times now!
As for this season, whilst it's possible to win all 4 games, I still see it as unlikely.
Doesn't mean I'm giving in though, far from it! I'm just practicing my disappointment!!!
posted on 11/4/12
Sort of like 95/96, we certainly have to finish the regular season in a similar way.
Back then though we were never really out of it like we looked to have been (many times) this year as we started that season well, spending most of the 1st half in the top 3.
Check this lnk out of how the table progressed
Ceck Millwalls plight too. top after 18 games, 6th after 27 and got relegated
http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one/1995-1996/table
posted on 11/4/12
Ah, remember it all so well. I still get goose bumps when I see tomo's equaliser against swindon. I also remember wanting O'neill sacked prior to the turn around. I think it was after losing to grimsby at filbo st. I was miffed that we had turned away mike walker & got MON in instead. I was so glad to be wrong!
posted on 11/4/12
Remember being at Watford for that game, great win if I remember rightly Muzzy's first goal for us, sent Watford down whilst I think Ipswich lost which gave us 6th place. Was living in London at the time got back into London said to my mate who had driven down from Leicester we need to go for a celebration drink, however he said his Mrs was expecting him back, I said tell her that I have bought you tickets for Notting Hill Carnival so you have to stay. On the night she fell for it but he got a rollicking the day after when she discovered the fact that you don't need tickets for it!!!
Also went to the Palace final that year great day out but the commentator on Sky (Ray somebody?) came out with the immortal line as Claridge shinned it in "And that could be....THE WINNER FROM CLARIDGE" classic- needless to say we went back on "The Notting Hill Carnival after that!!!"
posted on 12/4/12
The only caveat I'd attach to this optimism is that we had just signed players like Lennon and Izzet who turned out to be the greatest LCFC players for a generation. I'm not sure we realised just how good that 95/96 team was, or the potential it had, at the time.
I'm not sure how the class of 2012 would compare. Certainly Marshall and Drinkwater look promising signings, but wouldn't really match up with a midfield containing Lennon, Izzet and Parker.
Not that they have to, of course, but the process of recruitment might be more intense if we found ourselves in the PL this time around.